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The Haas VF-18 carries with it some of the tradition of the company's past.

First reveal: Haas F1 Team shows off its 2018 car ahead of Barcelona test

VF-18 carries hopes of American team into its third season of Formula 1

February 14, 2018

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Haas F1 Team unveiled its 2018 car for the Formula 1 season, the VF-18, today on the team's social media platforms, website and via press release to the media.

The VF-18 is an evolution of the team’s second car, the VF-17, which carried Haas F1 Team to an eighth-place finish in the 2017 constructors' standings. The VF-17 scored 47 points during Haas F1 Team’s sophomore season, 18 points more than the total earned in the organization’s debut season in 2016.

Incorporating “VF” into the name of the car is a nod to the history of Haas Automation, the team’s title sponsor. The first CNC machine manufactured by Haas Automation was the VF-1 in 1988. The “V” stands for vertical, which is an industry standard designation for a vertical mill. Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation, added “F1” to the name to unofficially designate it as the company’s “Very First One."

The Haas VF-18 for the 2018 F1 season features the halo cockpit safety device.

“People see what we can do in Formula 1 and people believe Haas Automation can build world-class machine tools,” said Haas, whose entry in 2016 became the first American Formula 1 team since 1986. “Being a Formula 1 participant brings a level of credibility that you just won’t get through traditional advertising.”

Beyond refinement, the VF-18 carries the significant addition of the halo and a drastic reduction in the sharkfin.

“The biggest part of the car’s evolution was the addition of the halo,” said Guenther Steiner, team principal. “It took quite a bit of study by the aerodynamicists, but the designers had to work hard to modify the chassis so the halo could survive the mandated loads. The total minimum weight of the car increased because of the halo, and there’s a higher center of gravity simply because of the halo’s position. But, everyone is in the same boat.

Team principal Guenther Steiner says the 2018 car is a bit of a throwback to the team's 2016 car.

“The regulations stayed pretty stable between 2017 and 2018, so the VF-18 is an evolution of our car from last year. It’s less about reinvention and more about refinement. You see elements we had from last year on the car this year.

“Our 2017 car was actually pretty good, but we didn’t always get the best out of it, and that’s what we aimed to change in 2018. We got the car as light as possible to carry more ballast. We were able to do a better job of putting the weight where we wanted it.”

The VF-18 tests at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Feb. 26-March 1 and again March 6-9 before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix March 25 in Melbourne.